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ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The owners of the ‘Soup Shop’ at the Tortola Pier Park (TPP), is being forced to seek legal recourse, after the facility’s management allegedly, prematurely cut electricity and water supply to the business, in an attempt to force him out of the premises.

The popular “Soup Shop” is owned and operated by young entrepreneur Mr Jeff Purcell, whose parents have strong indigenous roots in the Virgin Islands (VI).

Recounting his story, he said that upon his return to the Territory approximately 10 years ago, he longed to start his own business and was successful in doing so.

“It’s not easy being a small man doing business,” he said.

Prime Location

He was successful in starting a soup business with his prime location being at the Skelton Bay Lots, in Fish Bay, Tortola.

With the opening of the Tortola Pier Park however, he said that its management, “begged” him to take up tenancy there and he accepted the offer in June of 2015.

But according to Mr Percell, it was not an easy road there for him.

“Since I came to Tortola Pier Park it’s been difficulties…I have opened up there for a few years and just recently they came to me saying that they are not going to be renewing my lease anymore,” he said.

Despite this fact, he said he went on to pay his rent for the month of January 2019 and it was accepted. He alleges however, that when he attempted to pay his electricity and water bills, he was told by the Clerk that the Manager had instructed her not accept his payment.

Utilities Cut

“After that TPPP came back and shut off my electricity and water at the same time… and they are actually telling me they want me out in eight days,” stated an obviously hurt and frustrated Mr Purcell.

He received a letter of no intent to renew his lease dated January 9, 2019, and his water and electricity were cut on Saturday, January 19, 2019.

The letter served on Mr Percell, ordered him out of the premises by January 18, 2019.

“It seems as if somebody wants the place more than me and that’s just how I feel…On top of that I have four employees what do I do with them..They are right now just sitting at home.”

He said, “they (TPP) acted without a bit of care…I have perishables in there, I have vendors to pay…This is a very tough situation going on.”

Recourse

ýMr Percell said he is not prepared to let the matter rest and will be pushing hard for recourse.

He alleged that among the other issues he has had with the facility, includes their failure to deliver in terms of the number of cruise ship passengers to the facility.

According to Mr Percell, he was made to pay his full rent right after the hurricanes had hit in 2017. “There were tenants who were given a cut in their rent during that period but I was made to pay my full $1,600 in full right through,” he alleged.

Responding to the situation the management of the TPP declined to comment on Mr Percell’s claims. They however stated, “…tenants who have historically performed in accordance with the terms and conditions, inclusive of meeting their financial commitment to TPP, the renewal/extension is granted seamlessly.”

According to TPP, “tenants who have historically not met the terms, conditions and obligations as tenants, Tortola Pier Park Ltd. as good stewards of the facility, may then takes a position of non-renewal/extension.”